Kyrgyzstan rejects Taiwan NGO medical mission

Taiwan Roots Medical Peace Corps 台灣路竹會 had planned on sending a team of medical professionals to provide free medical services to residents in Chong-Alay District of Osh Region in south-western Kyrgyzstan on July 23 to August 1. Like many of its medical missions before, TRMPC sent a forward team consisted of volunteers to evaluate the situation on the ground, and was welcomed by local authorities. However, TRMPC was just notified by the Kyrgyz foreign ministry that due to the “One China” policy, it is being refused entry into the country. This is the first time since TRMPC’s establishment in 1995 that it has been publicly barred from performing medical services to people in need.

Founded in 1995 by a dentist, TRMPC recruits medical professionals to serve as volunteers in places with need, often responding to health emergencies and natural disasters (somewhat similar to the work of Médecins Sans Frontières). It is a private, non-sectarian, non-profit organization that is an associate member of the Conference of NGOs in Consultative Relationship with the United Nations.